Transferring files between a smartphone and PC use to be somewhat of a daunting task. Sure you could use cloud file services like Dropbox or Google Drive to share/sync files between your computer and smartphone, but what if you want to transfer larger files like video, photos or music from the two? If you are transferring a video, that could take a while depending on your Internet connection.

What if you don’t have access to an Internet connection but just have to get that file from your smartphone to computer or vice versa? There’s the option of plugging in your phone to computer via usb cable. That works but can sometimes be slow, plus if you are transferring files between your computer to someone else’s phone or vice versa, you may not want to physically connect the two devices.

This is where the USB OTG (On The Go) flash drives come in. These drives feature both a micro-USB and Type A USB 2.0/3.0 connectors. Another benefit to these devices is that you can add storage to a smartphone that does not have an available mini/micro-SD slot. And these flash drives can be a convenient backup solution. You can back up all the files on your phones internal storage to one of these drives. Currently this technology is only supported by Android 4.0 or higher. Look for USB OTG support in a future update to Windows Phone 8.1.

I recently purchased the Patriot Stellar series 16 GB flash drive.

Like most USB OTG flash drives, the Stellar has a full-size USB and micro-USB connector. Unlike most USB OTG drives currently available, the Patriot’s the full-size USB is 3.0 compatible! The drive is housed in a sturdy aluminum body, making it quite durable and perfect for heavy mobile use. There is no cap to remove to plug the standard USB connector into your PC/Mac but there is a cap on the micro-USB connector to help protect it from getting bent when thrown in your bag or pocket.

The drive is plug-and-play and is recognized and picked right up by Windows. It also works with Android 4.0 and up based smartphones and tablets. The drive is capable of 110MB/s transfer speeds when plugged into a PC. Look for 80 MB/s transfer speeds when plugged into a smartphone or tablet.

The only thing I don’t like about the drive, is that it did not come with a ring or lanyard already attached to it and the hole provided for one, is very small and does not stick out so attaching something to it to keep from losing it is very difficult.

The Stellar series is currently available in the following configurations:

At the time of this writing, these drives are available on Amazon with Prime eligibility, for $19.67, $27.23 and $37.99 respectively. With Amazon’s pricing, you get the most bang for your buck with the 64 GB model.

About This Blog

Hi, my name is Alex Ragno I will be the primary writer for the StarNews tech blog. I will be providing you with a wide range of tech solutions and information. I cover a wide range of issues from security threats to how do I do this on my device. With over ten years in the tech world along with my many techie friends whose brains I can pick. I will find you a solution to any issue. I am willing to cover any tech topic. So, send your questions or thoughts to techinthecity@starnewsonline.com.